The Duke of Cambridge is to renew his love of Africa with a conservation-led visit to the continent later this month.

William announced he will be making a working visit to Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya later this month during his first speech as patron of the Royal African Society (RAS).

William, who took over the role from the Queen in December 2016, told a central London reception for the RAS: “Africa’s wildlife is suffering as well as its people.

“Like so many others, I am deeply saddened by the numbers of elephant, rhino and pangolin who have been illegally slaughtered for their tusks, horns and scales. But the illegal wildlife trade also has a devastating human impact.

“Too many brave rangers are tragically killed each year by poachers. Communities see their tourist livelihoods threatened. And the proceeds of the illegal wildlife trade fund broader criminal networks and threaten security.

“This is why I am committed to doing what I can to help end this terrible, global crime. This will be a particular focus of my upcoming visit to Africa, and of course the conference on the illegal wildlife trade taking place here in London in October.”

This evening the Royal African Society hosts its Autumn Networking Reception @BritishAcademy_ for the Society’s Members and Supporters, with our patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge.

William recalled how he first “fell in love” with Africa when he spent time in Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania as a teenager.

He said: “Africa is both the oldest and the youngest continent in the world, being both the birthplace of humankind and the continent with the youngest population.

“My patronage of the Royal African Society is an honour and I will certainly continue to be a passionate advocate for Africa here in the UK.”

Prince Harry and Prince William visiting to the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Gabarone, Botswana (Anthony Delvin/PA)

William described the futures of Britain and Africa as being “inextricably intertwined” and stated that African communities have “a long history in Britain.”

He also spoke of job creation, generating investment, improving security, harnessing new technology, tackling corruption, managing urbanisation, and adapting to social and environmental change as some of the challenges which Africa faces.

William earlier took part in a private roundtable with experts from the fields of business and academia that touched on the opportunities and challenges faced in modern-day Africa.

Reception guests included people from various sectors including academia, business, politics, culture, the arts and education – to reflect the many areas in which the RAS works.

The RAS aims to promote Africa in business, politics, culture and academia and to foster better understanding and strong relationships between Britain, Africa and the world.

It is seen as a way for people to connect, celebrate and engage critically with a wide range of topics and ideas about Africa today.

In the third and final part of our series, Michael Alexander speaks to politicians about how they handled the devastating closure of Michelin in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and asks whether there’s anything Dundee – now facing a similar plant closure in 2020 – can learn.

In the second of a special three-part series, Michael Alexander visits the former Michelin site in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and speaks to local traders about the impact the closure there is having on high street businesses.

In the first of a special three-part series following the announcement that the Dundee Michelin plant faces closure in 2020, Michael Alexander visited Ballymena in Northern Ireland to find out how the community there is coping with the recent closure of their Michelin factory which led to the loss of 840 highly skilled jobs.

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